Drop + Etymotic ERX In-Ear Monitors

Exceptional earphones can only come from exceptional engineers. When we decided to make our own pair, we knew who to call: Etymotic. They answered—and they got to work with our community-driven team to create the Drop + Etymotic ERX: an IEM with legendary lineage and an identity all its own. Our goal was simple: take the community’s most sought-after features from past Etymotic releases and put them into one pair of earphones. The result was a blend of two Etymotic all-timers: the ER4XR and the EVO. From the ER4XR, we took the expressive, ultra-consistent single-balanced-armature design. From the EVO, we took the in-concha form factor—which features Etymotic’s signature deep-insertion build, with a natural shape and next to no protrusion outside of the ear. Tuned together with Etymotic, it’s got a sound that sits somewhere between its two predecessors. But in the case of the ERX, we like to think that sound is greater than the sum of its parts.

When making earphones with Etymotic, it’s hard to go wrong. It’s all about setting expectations, and setting them high. We wanted to make a pair of earphones that amazed all listeners—from audiophiles to newcomers, controlled listeners to commuters. To that end, we knew we needed something that felt as good as it sounded. With the EVO’s in-concha construction, the ERX has an ultra-streamlined, naturally contoured profile—great for on-stage or under-helmet listening. It’s also made from durable stainless steel, with a cable placement designed to reduce microphonics. Inside, the ER4XR’s single-balanced-armature design delivers excellent coherence across the entire frequency spectrum, eliminating the risk of the poorly-executed crossover between multiple drivers. We turned to Etymotic to handle the tuning on the ERX, landing on an accurate sound signature that adds weight to the lowest frequencies without encroaching on the upper bass and lower midrange. Moving up the spectrum, the mids and highs showcase stunning clarity and precision, mainstays in the Etymotic sound. From high to low—ER4XR to EVO—this is one IEM that covers it all.

In audiophile circles and beyond, anyone who knows earphones knows the name Etymotic. Founded in 1983 with an emphasis on auditory research and engineering-driven product design, Etymotic turned heads just one year later by inventing the first insert earphones for audiological research—the ER1, ER2, and ER3—which are still used in the field today. In 1991, the brand released its first consumer hi-fi insert earphone—the ER4—which was the first earphone of its kind to use balanced armature drivers, previously used only in hearing aids. After many years and ER4 iterations, Etymotic released the EVO in 2021, branching out with a multi-driver, in-concha design. Through all of these innovations, the brand has stayed true to one signature that’s undeniably Etymotic: earphones that sit deep in the ear canal. It’s an unmistakable—some would say superior—design choice and listening experience. For us, the answer is in the audio. Listen for yourself.